The Theory of Plate Tectonics



Vocabulary


Plates: Seperate sections of the lithosphere.
Scientific Theory: Well tested concept that explains a wide range of observations.
Plate Tectonics: Geological theory that states that pices of Earth's lithosphere are in constant slow motion, driven by convection currents in the mantle.
Faults: Breaks in Earth's crust where rocks ave sliped past each other.
Transform Boundary: Place where two plates slip past each other, moving in opposite directions.
Divergent Boundary: when two plate move apart, or diverge.
Rift Valley: a deep valley along a divergent boundary.
Convergent Boundary: a place where two plates come together, or converge.

Outline


  • A theory of plate motion

  • Plate boundaries

    • transform boundaries
    • divergent boundaries
    • convergent boundaries
  • The continents slow dance